Addressing the hundreds of supporters that convened in Bormla for the launch of Labour youth campaign, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that the Labour government, if re-elected, will initiate talks with social partners to introduce paternity leave.

“It’s not going to be easy but we want to introduce a flexible system that allows the sharing of parental leave between the mother and father,” Muscat revealed, as more details are expected in the coming days.

He also made it a point to encourage parents to support their children in furthering their education: “A career is not made out of being someone’s driver but by encouraging them to continue their studies at MCAST.”

On the evening that a magistrate referred IIP kickback allegations raised against OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri to another magistrate, supporters turned up in large numbers at Bormla’s Dock 1 to greet Muscat.

The Labour leader this evening launched the Forum Zghazagh Laburisti electoral campaign, ‘Next 5’, during which the party’s youths delivered a show of support.

Accompanied by his wife Michelle, Muscat sought the opportunity to once again reiterate that he welcomed Magistrate Aaron Bugeja’s decision as one that will go on to confirm that the Egrant allegations leveled against him are just a lie.

“I must admit that I’m extremely satisfied that the magistrate, who is investigating this lie, referred the matters raised by Simon Busuttil and said that these had nothing to do with the allegations against me,” Muscat said, to thunderous clapping.

Muscat drew comparisons with the French presidential elections, and how France was aghast by how far-right candidate Marine Le Pen accused her rival, Emmanuel Macron, of holding an offshore account following allegations made on blogs. Macron has sued her for libel, calling Le Pen “the priestess of fear”.

Muscat said he was confident that the electorate “will make the right choice on 3 June”.